
' i 


COMP^LIMEMTS OF __ 

.'/ COiIVjMB^A CAStRlAGR rf>^ 
% CYCLE company, 

329 TO 333 BROADWAY^ 0| 
MILWAUKEE, WIS., U. h,X- 




wqT6M‘^3 


RICHARD S. BAIRD, 

MILWAUKEE, WIS-i^ 

1393 

1. L''# 


I 



Practical 

Hints 

to 

Wheelmen. 




HINTS ON THE CHOICE. 


The popularity of cycling is growing. As a 
means of quick and easy transportation it has 
superceded in importance cycling as a sport. 

The jjossible development of wheeling is as yet 
unknown, and the time is not far off when it will 
become almost universal. 

To ride awheel is to know a delight that cannot 
be found in any other source. With the wings of 
a bird applied by nature one might in his flight 
through the air feel the sensation of c.ycling on 
the Air Tire or Pneumatic. The only other mode of 
transportation that approaches the wheel for de¬ 
lightful riding is the boat as it glides over the 
glassy surface of some quiet lake, river or canal 
in Venice. But for those who do not live in Venice, 
let them ride a wheel. 'I'he possession of a wheel 
means health, pleasure and usefulness to its owner, 
let us suppose then, you have determined to be up 
to the times and ride. 

The question then arises, what kind of a wheel 
shall I use? The choice of a wheelman’s mount 
is in a measure like the selection of a horse, in so 
far as it involves a judgment as to the kind or 
style best adapted to his or her special use. 



4 


HINTS ON THE CHOICE. 


Every manufacturer or dealer will tell you of the 
superior features or merits of the machine he has 
to offer, and no doubt you have read glowing 
adlets of this or that wheel that “Sets the Pace,” 
but of what interest is that to you, and how do 
the records made by crack riders on special built 
wheels interest you? This may appeal to a few 
ambitious persons who are going in to break 
records, but to the Business man, the Professional 
man or the Artisan, who wants an honestly built 
machine, one made to wear and carry him safely 
and quickly over the ground, such points do not 
count for much. Now that you are ready to buy, 
go to a firm or house of the highest business 
standing, one who cannot afford to jeopardize its 
reputation by false statements. As to the choice 
between an English or an American built machine, 
many of the most prominent and best riders have 
preferred the English Wheels, and it is a well- 
known fact that until a very recent date the 
American factories were experimenting, while the 
Europeans were turning out good machines and 
controling the American market. 

But American genius, not to be outdone, has 
put in the field several excellent patterns, and 
they have stood the test side by side of the Eng¬ 
lish product with credit, although we still have to 
look to the other side of the big pond for a most 
essential part, the tubing. 



HINTS ON RIDING. 


5 


In selecting your machine, do not be misled by 
appearance, now a pretty wheel is a nice thing to 
look at, and many wheels are sold on looks only, 
but don’t be deceived by appearance dear brother, 
it’s shallow and won’t wear well. A wheel without 
much nickel will look better after five years wear, 
than a machine with the various parts nickeled 
after 3 months use, beside the consiant care re¬ 
quired to keep the plating In a passable condi¬ 
tion. The points on a machine are, 

BE.4.RIN6S AND LINES, 

Not nickel or highly finished frames and wheels, 
all strictly high grade machines are finished in the 
best possible manner, with a view to protection 
and wear. 


HINTS ON RIDING. 

.\fter you have made your choice and had the 
machine properly adjusted, a few times trying will 
demonstrate how easy it is to acquire the nack of 
riding, in learning be patient, don’t try to do it 
all in a day. 

Is*'. Have the saddle rather low, so as to allow 
the feet to touch the ground, the fact that you 
cannot tip over will give confidence, which is the 
main thing in learning. Alwa.ys turn the handle 
to the side that slopes, that will right the machine 
again. 


HINTS ON RiniNG. 


() 

Select a wide, quiet street or road, and keep the 
pedals from striking the ground or curbing. As 
soon as you have m astered the wheel sufficient to go 
on a straight road, try to acquire an easy, grace¬ 
ful position. Very few riders consider this point, 
which is so essential for ease and speed. The 
many different lines of machines and the difference 
in persons, make it impossible to set forth rules 
that will apply to all cases. The following points, 
however, will serve to assist the rider in the proper 
position and adjustment of his mount: 

Have the handle-bar about even with the saddle 
line, and the saddle should belowenough to allow 
the rider to rest the heel on the pedal at the long¬ 
est reach. Pedal with the ball of the foot, not 
the instep, and follow the turn of the crank as far 
round as possible. 

Do not lay down over the hnndio bar,sit erect, 
but not as if you had a cane stuck down your 
back, a slight forward slope of the body brings a 
little weight on the hands and arms, which should 
always be held straight, not bent at the elbows ; 
dividing the weight in that way enables one to 
ride for hours without fatigue. 

Keep the knees close tof’other, nothing will spoil 
your position like the knees turned outward. Do 
not duck your head as if going under a low bridge, 
look up, but keep your eyes on the road, never 


HINTS ON CARE. 


7 


travel at a lighteninf? speed through the city, if 
you would save yourself and others from accident. 

Always keep to the right of the road and do 
not try to ride to close to other wheels or vehicles. 
A little care in these matters will save yoursHlf 
and your wheel from serious mishaps. 


HINTS ON CARE. 

Take good care of your machine, if you would 
have it faithfnl to you. 

Care may kill a cat, but it’s life to the wheel. 

Wipe the enameled parts with a soft cloth or 
chamois skin, and if the cloth is a trifle oily, all 
the better: use a different piece on the nickeled 
parts, with perhaps a slight sprinkling of whiting. 

Keep tlw oiled, but do not flood them 

with oil. Enough is as good as a feast, in ordi¬ 
nary use every day or two is often enough to oil, 
but use good judgement in that matter. 

The chain which has always been so sadly 
neglected, and which requires the most careful 
attention to insure easy running, should be 
treated to a kerosine oil bath every three or four 
weeks, allowing it to remain long enough for all 
the dirt and grit to dissolve, brush and wipe until 
dry, then use chain graphite, mixed to a thin 
paste with c.ycle oil and vaseline, apply to the 


HINTS ON DRESS. 


s 


chain with a brush, and after runninp: it a few 
.seconds wipe dry, then try your wheel, and you 
will understand what a delight it is to have the 
chain in perfect order. Care should be taken to 
have the chain so adjusted that it is neither too 
light nor too slack, proper adjustment will insure 
better wear and easier running. 

The bearings may be easily cleaned by running 
kerosine oil or benzine in oil holes, suspend the 
machine so that the wheels may turn, and keep 
them turning and put in the oil until it runs out 
clear, then run in the benzine, which will evaporate 
and leave the bearings dry, oil up and your wheel 
is in shape for some time. Do not allow any oil 
to get to the tires, it is injurious to rubber. 


HINTS ON DRESS 

To enjoy the full delight of the wheel, one must 
have proper clothing, a full dress suit is very 
handsome and appropriate for Dinners, Balls and 
Theatres, but not quite the thing for the Bike, 
and if you start out right you will find so much' 
in wheeling that you will gladly go to the small 
expense of getting the proper clothing, which is 
much cheaper than spoiling an expensive suit or 
handsome dress, say nothing of the appropriate, 
ness of it. 


HINTS ON REPAIR. 


9 


Hints on repair. 

Keep your wheel in good repair, it is a delicate 
piece of machinery, and should not be allowed to 
run without being in perfect order. A loose bear¬ 
ing or a broken ball will greatly injure the ma¬ 
chine. It is not supposed that the average person 
is capable of making any repair of broken parts, 
as a wheel is somewhat like a good horse, when, if 
he is sick, we take him to the best doctor, there¬ 
fore, if your wheel wants doctering, don’t take it 
to a quack, but give it into the hands of an ex¬ 
perienced mechanic. 

There are many little things however, that a 
rider must know and be able to do for himself. 

Perhaps the most important feature is the tires, 
the most generally used is the Morgan & Wright, 
on account of the practical way of repair and the 
riding and lasting qualities. There are however, 
many other good tires on the market, but as a 
rule the easy repair, is the easy puncture, in case 
of puncture on the road. If you are provided 
with a repair outfit for an.y style of tire, the neces¬ 
sary instruction goes with the outfit. 

Keep the tires well filled with air, the front tire, 
however, should always be softer than the rear, 
which carries most of the weight Do not allow 


1(1 


HINTS ON EXERICISE AND HEALTH. 


the tires to stand in the hot sun, the expansion of 
air is liable to explode the inner tube. 

If you desire to store or put the machine away 
for a time, deflate the tire and suspend in the air, 
so as not to allow any weight to rest on the 
rubber. 

To ascertain the gear of your wheel, multiply 
the number of inches diameter of the rear wheel 
by the number of teeth in the large sprocket and 
divide that amount by the number of teeth in the 
small sprocket. 


GENERAL HINTS ON EXERCISE AND 
H EAlTH. 

To ride a wheel is to take exercise, and exercise 
without regard to the laws of health is of but 
little benefit. It’s a duty you owe your body to 
keep it in health by daily use. 

It will purify the complexion. 

It will prolong youth. 

It will prevent the blues. 

It will brace up the nervous s.vstem. 

It will strengthen a weak heart. 

It will improve the breathing powers. 

It will give grace and dignity of bearing, which 
come from fine muscles. 


HINTS ON EXEKCISE AND HEALTH 


.11 


One should exercise as long as he lives. 

After a brisk run on the wheel, take a warm 
sponge bath, and after a good rubbing use Pond’s 
Extract and alcohol, equal parts, this will relieve 
all soreness and prevent taking cold. 

After you havecaredfor yourself, wipe the wheel 
and put it away, always looking it over to be sure 
everything is right. 

In presenting this little booklet to our friends, 
we do so in the hopes that they will find hints 
that will be a benefit to their health and add to 
the pleasure of the rider. 

We also desire to offer you a line of strictly 
high grade English and American Wheels, built 
on the latest improved lines, and warranted 
throughout in workmanship and finish. 

Our salesrooms are in charge of experienced 
Wheelmen, who will take special pains to furnish 
wheels that will be adapted to your particular 
use, and also give the necessary information re¬ 
quired by new riders. 

Hoping to have the pleasure of showing you 
our line, which is the largest in the city, 

We are truly yours, 

CoLu.MBiA Carriage & Cycle Co. 

N, B.—Our Repair department is complete, and 
'only beet skilled mechanics are employed. 















































